EC transport chief warns US not to curtail Air Italy flights

The EC has given the US a stern warning not to take any action against Air Italy that would prevent it flying to the US. A letter with the warning was sent from EC Mobility and Transport DG Henrik Hololei to US State Department under secretary, economic growth, energy and environment Manisha Singh. In it, Hololei uses unusually direct language to make clear that the EC “will take all steps necessary to defend the rights of the EU, its Member States and its air carriers” under the EU-US Open Skies agreement. The EC warning comes as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have joined forces in a campaign directed at challenging Air Italy’s flights to the US because Qatar Airways has a 49% stake in the Italian carrier. <br/>